Infrared oven construction



Sept. 9, 1952 w. WILSON INFRARED OVEN CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 26, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l NVEN'TOnsle Mflsoq Sept. 9, 1952 w. WILSON 2,610,280

INFRARED OVEN CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 26; 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wesle QM [sun p 1952 w. WILSON 2,610,280

INFRARED OVEN CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 26, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 21 Nesleq Ohfflson Patented Sept. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INFRARED OVEN CONSTRUCTION Wesley Wilson, Chicago, 111.

Application February 26, 1947, Serial No. 731,115

7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to an oven construction utilizin electric lamps as a source of heat, and has particular reference to an oven construction of the general type'disclosed in my Patent No. 2,317,426 issued April 27, 1943, in which a plurality of lamp fixtures, each supporting a longitudinal row or series of infrared lamps, are hinged together or otherwise interconnected for relativ angular adjustment to provide a lamp bank which may be used singly or in multiple to constitute a radiant heat oven. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an elongated fixture containing a row or series of heat lamps which is in the form of a trough having longitudinally extending shields back of the lamps providing a closed exterior devoid of open spaces through which if present an undue loss of heat would be experienced.

Another object is to provide a lamp fixture of the foregoing character in which the shields and the means for supporting the lamp sockets are susceptible of being insulated against the escape of heat to the exterior by conduction and radiation.

Another object is to provide lamp fixtures which are substantially closed back of the lamps, and which are adapted for interconnection to permit relative angular adjustment so as to provide a heat bank capable of being assembled in different shapes, the contiguous fixtures of the bank being always in substantial close longitudinal edge to edge relation in all relative angular positions whereby to provide'a substantially closed assembly devoid of open spaces between the fixtures through which if present heat would freely escape.

A further object is to provide a heat bank composed of a plurality of elongated lamp fixtures pivotally interconnected in longitudinal edge to edge relation, and each comprising a lamp housing trough of substantial triangular internal section, whereby the contiguous fixtures subtend external spaces of triangular section adapted to receive and accommodate both insulating material and electric leads for supplying electrical energy, the insulation and the leads being arranged in the external spaces in relation to the pivotal connections between the fixtures so as not to interfere with relative angular adjustment of the fixtures.

Another object is to provide elongated lamp fixtures adapted to be interconnected in longitudinal edge to edge relation for relative angular adjustment in a composite heating bank in which the 'ends of the fixtures present fiat unobstructed surfaces located outwardly beyond the connecting means between the fixtures and the means for supporting the bank, so that an alined series of banks may be assembled in substantially closed end to end relation and with the contiguous lamps of successive fixtures spaced approximately the same as the lamps within the fixtures to provide a sectional oven of any desired length.

A further object is to provide means for supporting a plurality of banks of the foregoing character in opposed relation to define a tunnel shaped oven, which means permits each bank to be swung from operative position easily and conveniently into a predetermined open position to facilitate inspection and servicing.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. l is a fragmentary end elevational view of a tunnel oven constructed of lamp banks embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective interior view, On a reduced scale, of one of the banks of lamps adapted to constitute one side of the oven.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and illustrating the details of one of the lamp fixtures forming part of the lamp bank.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through two juxtaposed fixtures of the bank.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the lamp fixture.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a back rail forming part of the fixture.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view illustrating one manner of providing heat insulation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the infrared oven, constituting the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, preferably comprises two opposed banks [0 and l l of lamps it which may be selectively adjusted or oriented in position to provide heating tunnels of various transverse sizes and shapes, either symmetrical or unsymmetrical, in accordance with the requirements of the work to be heated or dried. Each of the heating banks I0 and H comprises a plurality of elongated lamp fixtures [3 which are arranged in parallelism, and which are pivotally interconnected for relative angular disposition transversely in straight alinement or any desired curved section. In common use, the lamp fixtures 13 are supported'in horizontal position longitudinally, but may be disposed in diiferent tures I3 is provided with a longitudinal series of spaced electric sockets I4 for the reception of electrical heat lamps l2 of any suitable type, for example, either sealed reflector lamps or bare lamps. The individual fixtures 13 may be constructed and stocked in various widths and with different numbers of and differently spaced lamp sockets l4 so that by selective assembly to produce the lamp banks Ill and H any desired overall heat pattern maybe obtained. It will be understood that this heat pattern may be either uniform or variegated.

Each lamp fixture it (see particularly Figs. 3 to 5), in the preferred form, comprises a longitudinal back rail or socket rail l5, two laterally diverging heat shields or reflectors ll extending longitudinally along opposite side edges of the rail, and two transverse mounting plates 18 rigidly interconnected with the rail and the shields to constitute all of these elements a rigid or unitary horizontal frame or trough structure for a tier or row of the lamps 12. More particularly, the back rail Hi, preferably is provided in the form of a channel bar having an inner base wall i 9 formed with a longitudinal series of spaced openings 28 for the reception of the lamp sockets l4, and having spaced parallel outwardly projecting legs 21 To provide means for mounting the lamps sockets H3 in position, the base wall I2 will be alternately tilted in opposite directions L sidewise of the rail It.

The shieldsor reflectors ll may be provided in various shapes, and in the present instance consist of generally flat sheet metal plates secured at opposite ends to the transverse mounting plates l 8 and disposed against the inner face of the wall l3 to diverge laterally therefrom. The spaced innermost longitudinal edges of the reflector plates H are bent reversely to form external marginal beads or curls .26, and the adjacent outermost longitudinal edge portions are flexed or curved to define an approximately parabolic transverse section. 1 r

The, transverse mounting plates l8 preferably are alike in construction, and each comprises a central triangular wall portion 21 of a size and shape to close the associated end of the fixture F3. The opposite end portions of each plate l8 extend beyond the reflector shields H, and are stamped or formed into inwardly offset parallel relation to the wall 27. Thus, the offset end portions of the plate [8 constitute supporting ears 28 which are interconnected with the triangular wall portion 2! by means of laterally bent flanges 29 defining ledges in the inner face of the plate It. The ends of the shields ll overlap the ledges 29 and are secured thereto by bolts 30. Prefera'bly, the supporting ears 28 are crimped inwardly adjacent the apex of the wall portion 21 so as to provide spaced parallel locating ribs 3| snugly receiving andcoacting with the legs or flanges 2| of the back rail I3 to confine the latter in centered position. Suitable angle brackets 32 are secured to the inner faces of the wall I9 at opposite ends of the rail I5 and to the inner faces of the transverse supporting walls 21 as by means of bolts 33, thus completing frame assembly of the fixture.

It will be evident from the foregoing that each of the lamp fixtures l3, which preferably are alike in construction, consists of a simple frame structure, the component elements of which may be inexpensively formed out of sheet metal stock and readily assembled, and which is substantially closed back of the lamps l2 so as to prevent the undue loss of heat to the back or exterior of the lamp banks It and l I. By reason of the inwardly offset ears 28 for mounting and connecting purposes, the extreme ends of the fixture l! are defined by the wall portions 21, and hence are substantially free of external obstructions and protuberances. Consequently, a series of lamp banks may be longitudinally alined in end to end relation, with the adjacent end wall portions 21 of the fixtures !3 of successive banks in closely spaced and substantially abutting relation, thereby permitting the construction of ovens of any desired length by the assembly of standard bank units.

In assembling the fixtures [3 of each lamp bank IE or H, the ears 28 of the supporting plates 13 of adjacent fixtures are disposed in overlapping relation and pivotally interconnected for relative angular adjustment, one ear of each plate being offset inwardly of the wall portions 27 more than the other ear by a distance corresponding approximately to the thickness of the metal. In each instance, the pivot may comprise a bolt or rivet 34 located substantially at the apex of the triangular external space 35 subtended by the outer surfaces of the reflector plates I! of any two contiguous fixtures. The marginal curls 26 of the reflectors I! are so curved and located with reference to the pivot 35 that they will remain substantially in rollin contact to close effectively the spaces between the contiguous longitudinal edges of the adjacent fixtures in any position of relative angular adjustment.

To provide means for locking the fixtures l3 rigidly in selected positions of adjustment, the ears 28 of each overlapping set are formed with registering slots 33 arcuate about the connecting pivots 34, and are adapted to be clamped together by means of clamp washers 37 on bolts 38 extendin through the overlapping ends of the slots 36 and adapted to be tightened by means of wing nuts 39. Preferably, crimps or serrations 36a are formed in the ears 28 along the slots 36 so as to provide a secure grip, and graduations 35b are provided to indicate the degree of adjustment. Since the ears 28 are inwardly offset, the clamping means Will not project outwardly beyond the fiat end wall portions 21 of the fixtures l3, and hence will not interfere with the assembly of a series of lamp banks in close abutting relation, as when assembling the banks in a long sectional oven.

The closed reflector arrangement of the assembled fixtures l3 of each bank [0 or II lends itself conveniently to the housin of the electric wiring for the lamps, and to the eificient heat insulation of the oven. Thus, the electric wiring may comprise a bus bar or cable 41 extending crosswise of the bank of fixtures l3, and comprising a series of connected sections 38 extending respectively from any one back rail [6 to the next. To accommodate the electrical connections, the side legs 2| of each rail is are formed with openings 49 to which the ends of the sheathing of the cable sections 48am connected by means of suitable fittings 50. The supply lead wires 5| of the cable extend from each section 48 across the interior of the back rail Hi to the next section. Feed wires 52 are tapped to the lead wires 5| and extend along the interior of each back rail for connection in parallel to the respective lamp sockets [4. A cover [6a may be removably secured in place to enclose the wires 5| and 52 within the rail I 6. Preferably, the openings 49 in the opposite side legs of each back rail l6 are staggered, and each cable section 48 is coiled or bent into the triangular space 35 between the adjacent fixtures l3 substantially up to the pivots 34 so as to provide slack permitting relative angular adjustment of the latter.

The closed character of the lamp bank serves to prevent the loss of heat to the exterior by reason of radiation or convection. It additionally permits the use of heat insulation for preventing loss of heat to the exterior by means of conduction through the back rails 16 and reflector plates l1. While heat insulation of any suitable character may be provided, preferably, sheets 53 of asbestos or other suitable insulating composition may be disposed over one surface of each of the shields I6, and preferably over the outer surfaces thereof in the external triangular spaces 35 between the contiguous fixtures IS. The sheets 53 may be confined in position in any suitable manner, as by insertin the inner edges in the curls 26 and the outer edges between the back bars I6 and the outer curved edge portions of the shields II. In the slightly modified form of Fig. '7, the shields I! are entirely fiat and formed with reverse curls 26a at the outer edges, and the insulating sheets 53 are confined in position by the curls 28 and 26a. The sheets 53 thus terminate adjacent the pivots 34 so as to avoid any interference with the angular adjustment of the fixtures I3 relative to each other. Under certain conditions, additional bulk heat insulating material (not shown) may be inserted in the outer spaces 35.

Each lamp bank or II of assembled fixtures l3 may be supported in any suitable manner, as for example, from a pair of spaced upright fioor standards 40 (see Fig. 1). In the present instance, each standard 40 is shown as comprising a vertical tube or rod 4| rigidly anchored at the lower end to a horizontal floor plate 42, and rigidly supported in upright position from the plate .by means of an angle brace 43.

Two parallel horizontal cross arms .4 are adapted to be adjustably clamped in vertically spaced relation to the upper end portion of each tube 4! and to be clamped at their free ends to one of the fixtures [3 of the supported bank, it being understood that the other fixtures will be supported in assembled relation therewith by reason of the adjustable connections therebetween. In the present instance, each arm 44 is clamped to the tube 4! by means of a curved strap 45 adapted to be tightened by means of bolts 46. Preferably, the free or outer ends of the arms 44 are detachably connected to an intermediate or central fixture l 3 of the lamp back. The attachment means, conveniently, may comprise the same bolts 38 and wing nuts 39 which are used for clamping this fixture and the adjoining fixtures in selected position of adjustment. It will again be evident that by reason of the offset ears 28, the supporting arms 44 will be located inwardly of the extreme end wall portions 21 of the fixtures.

The supporting standards 43 lend themselves to quick and convenient separation of the opposed banks It and H of the oven for servicing. To this end, the fioor plate 42 of each standard 4i! is hinged at the outer edge to an anchor plate 56 rigidly bolted to the fioor. Consequently, the standard 40 can be swung laterally of the bank either into upright position as shown in full outline or outwardly as indicated in dotted outline, but cannot be swung inwardly beyond upright position. To automatically limit the extent of swinging movement, and thereby determine the open position, the two opposed standards 4!} of each set are interconnected at points immediately above the angle braces 43 by means of a slack tie member, such as a chain 51. Thus, either of the banks H1 or H may be tilted or SWllllg outwardly away from the other bank until the slack in the chain 5! is taken up, and thereupon the other bank will serve through the chain to support the first bank in open inclined position. Within the broad aspects of the invention the tie member for each bank may be anchored to any fixed or restraining support. As shown in Fig. 7, the lamp bank In has an individual tie member 51 anchored at its remote end to the floor in" stead of to an opposed bank.

It will be evident that I have provided a new and improved lamp fixture which is substantially closed back of the lamps, and of which a plurality of fixtures may be adjustably connected in a lamp bank of substantially closed construction. The means for joining the elements of each fixture, for assembling the fixtures in a bank and for supporting the bank are set back from the ends of the fixtures so that a series of banks may be arranged in close end to end relation without substantial open space therebetween and to maintain substantially the same center distances beween the end lamps of contiguous alined fixtures as are provided between the lamps within each fixture. Due to the closed character of the banks and the use of insulation in the external spaces thereof, undue loss of heat is prevented.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a lamp bank, in combination, a plurality of parallel elongated lamp fixtures, each fixture being trough-shaped and supporting a longitudinal series of lamp sockets therein and having transverse mounting plates at opposite ends, each mounting plate having ears at its opposite ends and exteriorly of the fixture which are offset in- Wardly from the ends of said fixture, means pivotally connecting the adjacent fixtures at the contiguous edges of the troughs for relative angular adjustment, said ears of adjacent fixtures being disposed in overlapping relation and formed with registering slots arcuate about the pivotal connections and being crimped along the edges of said slots and provided with graduations along the said slots, and clamping means extending through said slots of the overlapping ears for securing said fixtures in selected positions of angular adjustment, said clamping means being disposed inwardly of the extreme ends of said fixtures so that successive banks of fixtures may be disposed in close end to end relation.

2. In a lamp bank, in combination, a plurality of parallel elongated lamp fixtures, each fixture being trough-shaped and supporting a longitudinal series of lamp sockets therein and having transverse mounting plates at opposite ends, each mounting plate having cars at its opposite ends and exteriorly of the fixture which are offset in- Wardly from the ends of said fixture, means pivotally connecting the adjacent fixtures at the aeiaaeo contiguous edges of the troughs for relative angular adjustment, said ears of adjacent fixtures being disposed in overlapping relation and formed with registering slots arcuate about the pivotal connections, and clamping means extending through said slots of the overlapping ears for securing said fixtures in selected positions of angular adjustment, said clamping means being disposed inwardly of the extreme ends of said fixtures so that successive banks of fixtures may be disposed in close end to end relation.

'3. In a lamp fixture, in combination, an elongated back rail in the form of a channel having a longitudinal base wall and spaced parallel side legs and being formed in said wall with a longitudinal series of spaced openings, a plurality of lamp sockets mounted respectively in said openings, two elongated shields extending along said wall respectively at opposite sides of said sockets and diverging laterally therefrom to define a lamp trough of generally triangular section, and

two transverse mounting plates closing opposite ends of said trough, each of said mounting plates having a central triangular outer wall portion and having inwardly offset ends defining ears connected to said central wall portion by trans= verse ledges, the ends of said shields being seated against and secured to said ledges, each of said mounting plates at the apex of said central wall portion being crimped inwardly to define spaced parallel ribs receiving and locating the legs of said rail, and means for connecting the ends of said rail to said central wall portion.

4. In a lamp fixture, in combination, an elongated back rail in the form of a channel having with the opposite ends of said rail and shields to a secure these elements in assembled relation and serving to close opposite ends of said trough, each of said mounting plates having a central triangular outer wall portion and having inwardly ofiset ends defining ears connected to said wall portion by transverse ledges, the ends of said shields being seated against and secured to said ledges.

5. In a lamp fixture, in combination, an elongated back rail in the form of a channel having a longitudinal base wall and spaced parallel side legs and being formed in said wall with a longitudinal series of spaced openings, a plurality of lamp sockets mounted respectively in said openings, two elongated shields extending along said wall respectively at opposite sides of said sockets and diverging laterally therefrom to define a lamp trough of generally triangular section, and two transverse mounting plates interconnected with the opposite ends of said rail and shields to secure these elements in assembled relation and serving to close opposite ends of said trough, the opposite longitudinal edges of said shields being reversely bent to define exterior oppositelyopening grooves and sheets of heat insulating material lining the exterior surfaces of said shields and projecting at their edges into said grooves as a retaining means therefor.

6. In an infrared oven bank, the combination generally flat external connecting ears projecting therefrom in planes normal to said axis, the contiguous ears of each two adjacent fixtures being disposed in close overlapping relationship and formed with registering slots arc'uate about said axis and clamping means adapted to extend through said slots of said overlapping ears for securing said adjacent fixtures in selected positions of angular adjustment.

7. An elongated lamp fixture adapted for assembly with similar fixtures in side-by-side parallel relation to form a bank of an infrared oven, said fixture comprising, in combination, an elongated trough of generally U-shaped cross section supporting electrical fittings along the bight portion thereof for the reception of heating elements therein, the side portions of said trough diverging laterally from its bight portion to define a longitudinal outwardly opening reflector shield, two transverse end plates closing opposite ends of said trough, two generally flat external ears projecting outwardly in opposite directions respectively from the side portions of said trough in planes transverse, to said trough and being disposed in inwardly offset relation to the ends thereof, each of said ears having a slot arcuate substantially about the outer longitudinal edge of the associated side portion of said trough whereby a number of said fixtures may be assembled together with their contiguous ears in close overlapping relationship for relative transverse angular adjustment substantially about their contiguous longitudinal edges and secured in selected positions of adjustment by clamping means extending through the slots of said overlapping ears.

WESLEY WILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,094,771 Ball Apr. 28, 1914 2,113,770 Richardson Apr. 12, 1938 2,317,426 Wilson Apr. 27, 1943 2,355,459 Miskella Aug. 8, 1944 2,418,283 Wilson Apr. 1, 1947 2,478,001 Miskella Aug. 2, 1949 2,497,676 Lashells Feb. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 371,243 Great Britain Apr. 21, 1932 441,263 France Aug. 2, 1912 554,754 Great Britain July 19, 1943 

